Say thou wilt not deem me cruel, abiding by justice when there is room for mercy ?" "I know thee better than to judge thee thus," answered Agnes, tearfully; "the voice of duty must have spoken loudly to urge thee to this decision, and I may not dispute it; yet would that death could be averted.

There was madness in that woman's eyes," and she shuddered as she spoke.
"Of whom speakest thou, love ?" Nigel asked, and Seaton looked the question.
"Of his wife," she replied.

"She came to me distracted, and used such dreadful words, menaces and threats they seemed; but his mother, more composed, assured me they meant nothing, they were but the ravings of distress, and yet I fear to look on her again without his pardon." "And thou shalt not, my beloved; these are not scenes and words for such as thee.

Rest here with Christine and good Sir Christopher; to tend and cheer a wounded knight is a fitter task for thee, sweet one, than thus to plead a traitor's cause." Pressing his lips upon her brow as he spoke, he placed her gently on a settle by Sir Christopher; then crossing the apartment, he paused a moment to whisper to Lady Seaton.
"Look to her, my dear sister; she has been terrified, though she would conceal it.

Let her not leave thee till this fatal duty is accomplished." Lady Seaton assured him of her compliance, and he left the apartment.
He had scarcely quitted the postern before he himself encountered Jean Roy, a woman who, even in her mildest moments, evinced very little appearance of sanity, and who now, from her furious and distracting gestures, seemed wrought up to no ordinary pitch of madness.